Minnesota

Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. Its capital is Saint Paul, while Minneapolis is the largest city; together they form the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the state's economic and cultural centre. Minnesota has a population of about 5.7-million and an economy valued at more than $400-billion a year. The state's economic profile is diverse, encompassing agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, technology and mining. Minnesota is home to significant mineral resources, particularly within the Duluth Complex in the north-east, which contains substantial deposits of copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum-group metals. The state has a long history of iron-ore mining on the Mesabi Range, which supplied much of the ore for America's steel industry throughout the twentieth century. Forestry, tourism and outdoor recreation are also important, with extensive wilderness areas including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest. Minnesota's governance follows the standard US state model, with an elected governor and bicameral legislature. The state plays a strategic role in discussions around domestic critical-minerals supply, particularly as demand grows for battery metals needed in the energy transition.